Topically applicable composition for use as a skin bleaching agent

Abstract

Topical composition for use especially as a skin lightener, characterized in that it contains an effective amount of at least one compound of general formula (I) or a mixture of such compounds and/or an acid addition salt thereof: in which X is NH or a direct bond and n is 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2 or 3, and its use for lightening skin colour, for depigmenting liver spots and for evening out non-uniformities in skin colouration. The invention further relates to dermatologically effective compositions containing at least one disulfide of general formula (I) and at least one additional skin care ingredient.

1 . A method of lightening skin comprising topically applying to skin in need of lightening a composition which comprises an effective amount of at least one compound of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein —X— is —N(H)—, or a direct bond, and n is 2, 3, or 4, in free form or in acid addition salt form. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of an emulsion; a milk, a lotion, a cream, an ointment, a gelling and viscous, surface-active and emulsifying polymer; a pomade, a shampoo, a soap, a gel, a powder, a stick, a spray, a body oil, a face mask, or a plaster. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formula (I), n is 2, or 3. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the formula (I), —X— is —N(H)—, and n is 2. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 0.005 and 50% by weight of the at least one compound of the formula I. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises between 0.05 and 5% by weight of the at least one compound of the formula I. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) in the form of a solution, a dispersion, or an emulsion, or   (b) encapsulated in an excipient, or   (c) in a liposome or a chylomicron, or   (d) included in a macro-, micro- or nanoparticle, or a microsponge, or   (e) absorbed on a pulverulent organic polymer, or a mineral excipient.   
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is present in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is present in the form of a macro-, micro- or nanocapsule. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises:
 a) a safe effective amount of at least one additional skin care active ingredient, selected from the group consisting of a skin bleaching ingredient, a depigmentation ingredient, a sun protection ingredient, and a UV blocking ingredient, and   b) optionally a dermatologically acceptable excipient.